Air pollution, the culprit which is causing global warming, may now change the Olympic Games to be held in Beijing, China. For several years, we have seen the United States ‘pull back’ on signing the Kyoto treaty as Asia, especially China, was not in accord.
We may have acted very smug with those reports, insisting that America do its bit, despite pollution in China. After all, how much worse could China’s pollution be?
Now news from a very non-political group, the Olympic Committee, has reported the substantial amount of pollution which exists in Beijing (and as a sideline, in all Chinese cities) is so bad, it may harm the athletes’ performance. The World Health Organization has stepped forward to warn those who will be on-lookers with health alerts for those with cardiovascular disease or asthma.
Sixteen of the worlds 20 worse polluted cities exist in China. China, in typical fashion, is trying to band-aid the approach by limiting traffic in Beijing for the next 12 months as it gets closer to the Olympics (don’t they realize that pollution creeps in from their other cities?). Pollution has the ability to travel over thousands of kilometers; thereby, making it irresponsible to focus on one city alone (and, for only 12 months).
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the health concern is due to the small particulate matter in China, which penetrates deep into the lungs, and into the cardiovascular system. Wearing a face mask will not help, as the particulates are so small and fine, they will penetrate the mask. A person with an unhealthy cardiovascular system should be warned of the possibility of a heart attack while at the Olympics. China’s pollution is very serious exposure, ultimately impacting on one’s life.
China states that it has spent, or will spend close to 12 billion dollars on environmental concerns. However, WHO responds it would be amazed at good outcomes. “The ultimate condition may depend on a lot of luck, such as which way the wind is blowing”.
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